ACCESS
Academic Consortium for Climate, Environment, and Sustainability Solutions
This group of peer higher-ed organizations was established in 2023 to create a community of practice and elevate the contributions of academia in supporting climate change and environmental solutions.
Who We Are
Universities play a vital role in addressing climate change and environmental challenges and preparing the next generation of leaders. The Academic Consortium for Climate, Environment, and Sustainability Solutions (ACCESS) was established in 2023 to create a community of practice and elevate the contributions of academia in supporting climate change and environmental solutions. Composed of university-wide programs that facilitate climate and environmental research and education, consortium members share an interest in fostering transdisciplinary investigations, advancing transformative education, and creating opportunities for inter-university collaboration.
Following an inaugural meeting of the group at the University of Pennsylvania in the summer of 2023, ACCESS meets monthly on Zoom to share best practices and brainstorm strategies for maximizing collective impact, including planning a shared event at COP28 in Dubai. In-person meeting were held at Duke University in February 2024 and at Washington University in St. Louis in September 2025.
Current Members
Resources
Contacts
Daniel Giammar, Co-chair, Washington University in St. Louis
giammar@wustl.edu
Katie Baillie, Co-chair, University of Pennsylvania
kbaillie@upenn.edu
Image at top of page: Attendees at the 2025 ACCESS gathering at Washington University in St. Louis enjoyed a campus tour led by Assistant Vice Chancellor for Sustainability Phil Valko.